Some Gillingham players face an uncertain future Pic: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham will definitely be playing League 2 football next season but manager Andy Hessenthaler will hold fire before deciding which players he wants to keep.

Half of his 30-man professional squad of players will be out of contract this summer and he must decide who to offer new deals to.

But despite the club’s fate being sealed with a draw at Northampton, Hessenthaler has indicated that he will be waiting another week before announcing who he wants to retain.

"We have another game to play and we want to concentrate this week on finishing at home on a high," said Hessenthaler.

"In the back of my mind we will start to think about rebuilding and there will be ins and outs over the summer."

Hessenthaler has already said he wants to keep young defender Connor Essam – with contract discussions already under way – while fellow youngster Jack Evans also seems set to stay.

But for the likes of Barry Fuller, Simon King, Garry Richards, Danny Spiller, Danny Jackman and Curtis Weston there is no guarantee of a future with the Gills.

Youngsters such as keeper Darren Hawkes and Evans will hope to get another year.

"We have to sit down and look at the financial situation with the chairman," said Hessenthaler.

"We will do that first and see what is available to freshen things up. There will be a number of players out of contract and that will hopefully release some of the money.

"We have gone over budget this year and the chairman has really pulled the stops out to try and get that promotion. I have to sit down and see where we are at and we go from there."

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